History and origin
The Moorish gecko was first described by Linnaeus in 1758, the scientific name of this species is Tarentola mauritanica. Tarentola from latin meaning Taranto (an Italian cuty). Mauritanica from latin meaning 'Mauritanian' from Mauritania.

Characteristics
They are characterised by the fact that they are the only common species of gecko in France, they are distinguished form the other species by their size, coloration and typical round pads for fingers.

Description
=Size=
They hatch at around 2 to 2.5 cm long, averaging about 8 cm long growing up to sometimes 10 cm long (measures not including tail, max. adult size tail included is up to 20 cm long).
=Morphology=
They are a typical gecko, they have a robust body with large head, a bulky tail and big limbs. Their fingers are a unique shape, almost round and flat, these fingers stick on most surfaces. They have a vertical pupil.
=Patterns & colours=
They are usually light brown, sometimes light greyish with darker and lighter patterns along the body. Juveniles are more vivid where the shades of colour variations are more visible. For specimens that dwell at night under lamps in the street, they are usually the 'light' form whereas specimens that are more 'wild' and do not have the advantage of an insect lure such as lamps, these specimens are more often seen by day and are very dark. The belly is yellowish.

Geographical range
Found over much of the Iberian peninsula except from the northern and north western parts, otherwise this species is restricted to within 50 to 80 km from the coast in Mediterranean France (exceptionally in the Rhone valley), Italy, Croatia, Albania, Crete and an isolated part of Greece on the western coast. Otherwise they are present on the Balearics islands, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily and Malta.

Subspecies
None described.

Sexual differences
Females are larger in spring due to their eggs.

Seasonal variations
Females are larger in spring due to their eggs.

Diet
They feed mainly on large insects.

Defensive habits
If caught they may squeak, and may bite, although this doesn't hurt in any way.

Reproduction
Breeding occurs when they wake up from hibernation in spring, a week after, they are all looking for each other and mating begins. After only a few weeks about 4 eggs are laid (extremes are from 1 to 5 eggs) in between rocks and cracks in walls, often laid in roofs under tiles The eggs incubate for around 10 weeks before hatching (sometimes as quick as only a few days! this happens if the female retains the eggs for longer inside her).

Sexual maturity, life span
The average life span for Tarentola mauritanica is about 8 years, they reach their sexual maturity when they are about 8 cm long (including tail).

Habits
They are active by night. They are very common and are usually seen in large families. They can be active by day in the case o a more 'wilder' population that doesn't rely on lights to lure in prey. When night falls and the street lights are on they get to work, they sit in ambush near a light, as the insects they eat are attracted to the light when they come, they can get a feed. They can be expected out as long as the temperature doesn't drop below 15 ° C.

Habitat
In Europe they live close to humans in their houses, barns and close by areas, the expansion of this species is in a general way due to the building and transport of building materials where they are often hidden.

Predators
Birds, cats.